University Of North Carolina Wilmington

University of North Carolina Wilmington admits 74% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the Moderately Selective category, creating reasonable admission odds for qualified students while maintaining academic standards.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows University of North Carolina Wilmington admits slightly fewer students than typical institutions in its comparison group, though the 4.1 percentage point difference represents minimal additional selectivity. This admission rate indicates that most academically prepared students with appropriate test scores and grade point averages have strong chances for acceptance.

Students should view University of North Carolina Wilmington as an accessible option that doesn't require the exceptional credentials demanded by highly selective institutions. The university's moderate selectivity allows for broader access while still attracting academically motivated students.

For college list building purposes, applicants should treat University of North Carolina Wilmington as a solid match or safety school rather than a reach, depending on their academic profile. This accessibility supports the university's mission of serving diverse student populations, including first-generation and Pell-eligible students who comprise significant portions of the enrolled class.

University of North Carolina Wilmington maintains moderate costs typical of public universities, with a published cost of attendance reaching $25,913 annually. This includes $22,985 in out-of-state tuition, though in-state students pay significantly less at $7,317.

Room and board costs $12,605, while books and supplies add $1,130. However, the average student pays considerably less through financial aid, with the average net price of $19,472 representing $6,441 in financial aid savings.

Compared to peer institutions with a median net price of $15,590, University of North Carolina Wilmington costs $3,882 more annually, though this difference reflects the university's higher published prices rather than inadequate aid. The net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $11,837 for families earning under $30,000 to $25,018 for families earning over $110,000.

This $13,181 spread demonstrates progressive pricing that makes the university accessible to lower-income families while requiring higher-income families to pay closer to sticker price. For North Carolina residents, costs decrease substantially due to in-state tuition rates, making University of North Carolina Wilmington particularly attractive for state residents seeking quality education at controlled prices.

University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over their early careers. Median earnings rise from $46,972 six years after enrollment to $51,021 at eight years and $54,967 at ten years, representing 17% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes reflect data from substantial cohorts, with 3,575 graduates in the six-year cohort, 3,639 in the eight-year cohort, and 3,417 in the ten-year cohort, providing high confidence in reported figures. While graduates earn $15,479 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University of North Carolina Wilmington at the 6th percentile for earnings uplift, absolute earnings remain above average at the 57th percentile.

Low-income graduates earn $42,700, demonstrating the university's ability to support economic advancement for diverse student populations. Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the gap between 25th percentile ($37,279) and 75th percentile ($81,800) representing a 2.2:1 ratio.

Approximately 32% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.

University of North Carolina Wilmington offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. Business Administration and Management leads enrollment with 752 graduates earning a median of $63,879 and ranking #49 nationally, #3 in North Carolina.

Adult Health Nurse/Nursing produces 727 graduates with strong median earnings of $71,322, ranking #68 nationally and #1 in North Carolina with an exceptional value score of 75.5. Computer Science, while serving only 85 graduates, delivers the highest median earnings at $80,714, ranking #147 nationally and #9 in North Carolina.

Communication and Media Studies enrolls 242 students with median earnings of $44,581, ranking #128 nationally and #8 in North Carolina. Psychology serves 222 graduates earning $41,804, ranking #176 nationally and #4 in North Carolina.

Aquatic Biology/Limnology stands out with a strong national ranking of #13 despite serving only 84 graduates, demonstrating specialized program excellence within the university's portfolio.